The NATO summit in Türkiye was marked by major defense deals worth $50 billion and announcements of increased European/Canadian spending (20% rise in 2025, adding $139 billion), signaling a shift toward greater “Europeanization” of the alliance.

Broader strategic discussions focused on adapting to a multipolar world, including NATO’s expansion of partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations (Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and warming ties with India) in response to China’s rise and the Russia-China-North Korea-Iran axis.

Tensions with the US under Trump persist, but increased European defense investment and global outreach (including Türkiye’s push for institutional revision) are helping NATO build resilience and strategic direction amid ongoing challenges.

The dust is still settling from the recent NATO summit in Turkiye, a key forum framed around longer-term strategic questions for the military alliance. However, in the event, many of the headlines were made by the announcement of $50 billion in military agreements — deals that will contribute to the “Europeanization” of the alliance.

Reflecting the dealmaking mood, US President Donald Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Turkiye imposed in 2020 over Ankara’s purchase of Russian air defense missiles, warming ties between two allies. Trump also expressed a willingness to sell Turkiye F-35 fighter jets.

The large number of defense transactions, which include European countries buying surveillance drones, and NATO buying aircraft, underlines how much the........

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